Merseyside brand marketing manufacturer Wild Thang has gone all in on sustainability and says its latest award win shows how businesses can be both ethical and profitable. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool city region SME Wild Thang is determined to prove that businesses can be ethical, sustainable and profitable.

In late October the Bootle-based brand marketing specialist secured the latest in a string of awards, being named Sustainable Business of the Year at the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards at St George’s Hall for the second year running.

It was, says Wild Thang founder and managing director Andrew Dwerryhouse, “the award we wanted to collect above any other”.

Wild Thang produces a large range of branded products for multiple blue chip clients including SkyBet, McDonald’s and Paddy Power. It was established 28 years ago with a grant from the Princes Trust.

During the pandemic, Andrew and his team pushed on with plans to invest more than £2m expanding their manufacturing facility and headquarters on Derby Road, despite seeing a dip in business.

And that decision has paid dividends with the firm roaring back with a post-COVID surge in growth, growing its team to more than 50 people and expanding its overseas operation with new bases in Dublin and in New Jersey in the US.

But while Andrew acknowledges revenue and profit growth is essential to the future of Wild Thang, he insists on doing business the right way, or as he likes to call it “the Wild Thang way”.

“Sustainability has been a major focus for us as a business and our efforts have only intensified over the past year,” he said. In spring 2023 Wild Thang launched its sustainability pledge.

Since unveiling its plans, it has planted 58,422 trees saved 2,278 tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to the carbon emissions from 1,749 long-haul flights, saving 6,837 square metres of ice, or avoiding 5.6m miles driven by an average car. Click here for more details.

In October 2023, Wild Thang installed 290 solar panels on the roof of its headquarters. They are already providing around 80% of its energy needs. And in May it submitted its application to become a B Corp certified company.

B Corp organisations have to commit to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Winning the latest chamber award is further vindication of Wild Thang’s approach, explained Andrew.

He added: “We are beyond proud, thrilled and very excited to announce as a team that Wild Thang has taken home the prestigious Sustainability Business of the Year award for the second consecutive year. 

“To have our sustainable efforts recognised for the second year running means the absolute world to Wild Thang and its team as this was the award we wanted to collect above any other,” he added.

“I believe organisations should align with others that share their values and ethics. Our commitment to ESG and sustainability means we can be that all important trusted supply partner.

“Winning this award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team, it validates the efforts we’ve poured into making sustainability a core focus of our business.“These things could never happen without the support of many individuals and organisations beyond our team which include amazing clients, friends, partners, suppliers and family.

“Without the help of all those people, award winning moments like this would not be possible and now this acknowledgement will push us even further to continue placing ESG central to our core values in the years to come.”